Plant Engineer - WASCAL

WASCAL is research and education-focused institute designed to provide knowledge and climate services that should help tackle the climate change challenge and thereby enhance the resilience of human and environmental systems.

It does so by strengthening the research capacity and infrastructure in West Africa related to climate change by pooling the expertise of ten West African countries and Germany. The West African countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d‘Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo.

Job Description

The hybrid waste to energy as a sustainable solution for Ghana is an applied science project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research from Germany and supported by the Ministry of Environment Science and Technology Innovation, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to develop solutions for the energetic valorization of municipal solid waste in Ghana.

As a part of the project, a pilot hybrid 400 kW demonstration waste to energy power plant has been constructed. The plant will start operations in February 2021 and will require capable Ghanaians with the necessary skill set to operate the facility. The West African Science Service Center for Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) would like to use part of its budgetary allocation to support the recruitment and employment of the following position until the end of the project funding phase.

Employees will have the opportunity to continue working under the plant management body based on their performance after the funding phase. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate against, sex, religion, race, ethnicity, etc.

Job summary

The Plant Engineer is responsible for the security, maintenance, and services of work facilities and assets to ensure that the machines/components and all unit operations in the facility are working efficiently.

The plant engineer will also be responsible for ensuring that all engineering requirements, as well as final products, are delivered on time to customers. The plant engineer shall also ensure that the plant can operate in flexible mode anytime needed. He is also entrusted with the operation of the waste-to-energy plant daily.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate all planned preventive maintenance, reactive maintenance, installations, and refurbishments.
• To maintain accurate records of planned maintenance and statutory inspections
• Documenting and tracking the progress of facility projects, recurring issues, and long-term repair issues
• Conduct regular key inventories and maintain appropriate records.
• To manage, supervise, and coordinate the work of contractors for all planned and reactive maintenance and small project works.
• To assist in planning for future development in line with strategic objectives, especially regarding hybridization and flexibilization
• To allocate and manage space.
• To manage the security and cleaning contractors to ensure objectives are being met for the provision of those services.
• To ensure the maintenance of an attractive and safe working environment
• To ensure that the Company always remains compliant with relevant statutory responsibilities.
• To liaise with external bodies as appropriate (Ghana Fire Service, Ghana Police Service, Environmental Protection Agency, the Municipal Assemblies, etc.)
• To assist in the development and maintenance of accurate records of facilities, assets, and equipment.
• Conduct investigations, draft reports and make written recommendations.
• Should be flexible in working plans and be ready for working overtime when the need arises.
• Should be available all the time based on emergency requirements even on weekends
• Must report every day of his activities to the board, managing director, and the project coordinator
• Report directly to the plant supervisor.

Operational efficiency

• To use performance management techniques to monitor and demonstrate achievement of agreed service levels and to lead on improvement.
• To develop and lead plans for ensuring that the Company uses resources efficiently and sustainably including energy and water.
• To check that agreed work by staff or contractors has been completed satisfactorily and follow up on any deficiencies.

Health Safety and Environment Duties & Responsibilities: 

• To ensure that the buildings, equipment, tools, and activities both on-site and off-site meet health and safety requirements
• Ensuring the resolution of hazards within agreed timelines
• Report on transport records and maintenance activities
• Be a Safety Committee representative for your department

Required Skills or Experience

• BSc. Or BTech. in the following subject areas; Mechanical Engineering, plant engineering, process engineering, electrical engineering/material engineering
• Experience Level: Senior level
• Experience Length: minimum 3 years

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• In-depth knowledge and experience in pilot plant facilities or engineering project management
• Working knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety
• Ability to work in compliance with OHSE and EMS policies
• Communication and influencing skills, in person and writing.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good decision-making skills
• The ability to lead and manage teams and projects.
• The ability to see the implications for the bigger picture.
• Proactive with a high level of initiative, capable of identifying new work and improvements independently.
• Commercial awareness and Customer service
• Organization, time management, prioritizing, and the ability to handle a complex, varied workload.
• Good knowledge of IT
• Should be flexible in working plans and be ready for working overtime when the need arises.
• Should be available all the time based on emergency requirements even on weekends
• Must report his daily activities to the plant supervisor who will intend to report to the board, managing director, and the project coordinator